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Tuesday, September 5, 2017

Caramel Apple Sourdough Muffins

These muffins are bursting with apple flavor! They bring a healthy punch of oatmeal, sourdough, whole wheat flour and yogurt as well. Start your day off deliciously!

I am really starting to get excited about fall baking. The days are still feeling like summer but there is definitely a hint of fall in the evening breeze. Plus our favorite local apple orchard is picking the early varieties of apples. Fresh cider is a little ways off still but they have the best cider slushies from last year's pressing and the frozen cider is perfect for the still warm days.

We'll be celebrating apples at the end of the month with #appleweek. Last year's week of apple treats was a lot of fun and this year will be even better. You didn't hear it from me, but there will be a chance to win some great prizes!

I really considered saving this recipe to share then, but I just couldn't wait that long! One of my favorite parts about blogging is meeting people with similar interests. I have a whole new group of friends that I've never met in person but I really value and cherish each relationship just like I do the friends I see in person.

So now I have a virtual muffin friend! We bonded over the chocolate chip sourdough muffins I posted way back when and have been bouncing ideas off each other ever since. She was the inspiration for adding cherries and almond extract for the cherry chip muffins. She made a version with fresh strawberries too that I can't wait to try in the spring (in the mean time you can catch a glimpse of her muffins in this Facebook feed!) They are her husband's favorite.

She mentioned wanting to try subbing applesauce for the oil and I couldn't wait to try that as well. Honestly I wasn't quite sure how they'd turn out. While I love the idea of saving a few calories, sometimes you run the risk of a heavy dense muffin. Since I already use some whole wheat flour and a bunch of oatmeal I wasn't sure if this would be too much.

Throwing caution to the wind, I went ahead and made them anyway. To really drive the apple flavor home I not only added the applesauce, I added apple juice and a chopped up apple as well. To even out all the healthiness, I went ahead and stirred in some caramel bits... because, well, caramel! (And I'm sure we all know by now sometimes I just can't help myself. I didn't frost them and let's be thankful for that bit of restraint.)

Of course you could leave the caramel out and have yourself a pretty virtuous apple muffin.

So what's the verdict? They baked up beautifully just like the muffins with oil and they smelled so good. I was so excited that I immediately messaged a picture to my muffin baking pal. They were still hot, hadn't been tasted and it was a bit premature for celebration, but I couldn't help myself.

You know what? The celebration was warranted! These muffins were so moist and full of apple flavor. They also were beautifully soft and not too dense. I could have probably gobbled them all up in a sitting or two if I would have allowed myself. As it was I had to taste test one right away. Then I took a couple in my lunch bag each day for the next few days. One for a mid-morning breakfast and one for lunch! I reluctantly shared a few as well.

If you are looking for a new fall treat, these should definitely be on the list! What are your favorite apple recipes?

Yield: 12 muffinsAuthor: Cooking With Carlee

Caramel Apple Sourdough Muffins

These muffins are bursting with apple flavor! They bring a healthy punch of oatmeal, sourdough, whole wheat flour and yogurt as well. Start your day off deliciously!

prep time: 15 MINScook time: 20 MINStotal time: 35 mins

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup rolled oats

1/2 cup apple juice

1/2 cup plain yogurt

1/2 cup sourdough starter

1/3 cup brown sugar

1/3 cup applesauce (I used unsweetened, but any should work)

1 egg

1 cup all purpose flour

1/2 cup whole wheat flour

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 tsp salt

1 medium apple, cored and diced

1/2 cup caramel bits

INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat oven to 400 F and grease enough muffin tins for 12 muffins

In a large bowl, mix together oatmeal, apple juice, yogurt and sourdough starter. You may continue immediately, but I prefer to let this step sit for about 10 minutes to let everything soften a bit if I have the time.

Stir in the applesauce, egg and vanilla extract.

In a small bowl, mix together the flours, and baking powder. Stir into wet ingredients until just mixed. Fold in the diced apple and caramel bits and then spoon into the prepared muffin tin.

Bake for about 20 minutes or until golden and a toothpick tests done.

Cool in muffin tin for about 10 minutes and then remove to a wire rack to cool completely.

Store in an airtight container for a few days on the counter or freeze until ready to eat.

Hi Carlee, we've got similar weather now, with the days still be hot, but the nights feeling cooler. This morning I felt chilly when I got up.

This winter I really should have a go at making a sour dough starter! It's something I've been meaning to do and so many recipes I come across call for it. I would probably have taste tested two, the second one is to make sure the first one really did taste that good! I will be giving these ago just as soon as I get that starter on the go! Pinning for the future!

You are too funny. I can just see your muffins with frosting on them - unfortunately I would probably love them. I do love apples as well and these muffins sound so good with all 3 variations of apple in them. (I was thinking that you needed to find some apple yogurt). Thank you for sharing this recipe and have a great day!

I have not tried it without, so I am not sure. You would probably get a similar muffin if you replace it with equal parts of flour and water and just a tiny pinch of yeast. You could possibly try just omitting it as well. It might not have the exact same consistency, but it would likely still make a nice muffin.

I love your Caramel and Apple combination for these delicious muffins! I really appreciate you sharing with us at Full Plate Thursday and hope you are having a safe and enjoyable weekend.Come Back Soon!Miz Helen

I am new to a sourdough starter and have no recipe or guideline. I would appreciate if you would share. I am looking for recipes with lower sugar content and this sounds delicious, I am prediabetic. I have 3 apple trees that are loaded. Retired 2 years ago and love to bake for others. Thank you..

Do you already have a starter? If not, I made my own using just flour and water. It takes about 5 days but is really easy. Otherwise you can order some or a local baker may sell you some. Either way, I love making muffins like these with the discard when I feed my starter. While the muffins are sweet, they are only lightly so and there isn't a ton of added sugar. I also make a lot of sourdough pizza crust.

These muffins would be a great way to use some of your apples. My brother has some apple trees as well and we just got done making a TON of applesauce from his trees. I don't can, so I froze a bunch in jars and we should be set for the winter. I don't add sugar, so that may be a good choice as well.